Morning journal and courier., 1887-04-09
AMERICAN FIsHERmEN,s RIGHTS.

I
 President Cleveland VIII See Tha
 They Are Protected or Retaliation
 WiH Re Positively and RfgorousIy ! Enforced.
 WASHINGTON, April s.-President Cleve
 land yesterday sent the following reply 10
 communication from the American Fishery
 union of Massachusetts calling his attention
 to the fisheries dispute and suggesting that
 the retaliation of the proposed resolution was
 confined to the closing of the United States I markets to Canada fish products:
 EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, April 7.
 deorge Steele esq.,, president American Fishery union, and others, Gloucester, Mass Gentlemen-I have received your letter
 lately addressed to me and have given full
 consideration to the expression of the views
 and wishes therein contained in relation to the existing difference between the govern
 ment of Great Britain and the United States engaged in fishing enterprises regarding the privileges to which they are entitled either under treaty stipulations or the guarantees of international amity and neiehborly con- cesslons sincerely trust the apprehension you express of unjust and unfriendly treat ment of American fishermen lawfully found In Canadian waters will not be realized But if such apprehension should prove to be well founded hope that no fault or incon- slderate action of any of our citizens will in the least weaken the just position of our or deprive us of the universal and support to which we should | be entitled. The action of the administra- tlon since June, 1885, when the fishery arti- 1 cles of the treaty of 1871 were terminated l under the notification which had two years | before been given by our government, has been fully disclosed by the correspondence | between the representatives and the appro- pr1ate departments of the re- ,,pective governments, with which ter you are entirely familiar. An exami- nation of this correspondence has doubtless satisfied you that in no case have the rights or privileges of American fishermen been or neglected, but that on the contrary they have been sedulously insisted .pon and cared for by every means within he control of the executive branch of the government. The act of Congress approved March 3, 1887, authorizing course of retail tion through executive action in the event # continuance on the part of the British American authorities of unfriendly conduct nd treaty violations affecting American shermen has devolved upon the President l I the United States exceedingly grave and ] olemn responsibilities, comprehendipp ighly important consequences to our na7 ional character and dignity and inyoIy- 1g extremely valuable commercial Intercourse between the British possessions in North America and le people of the United States. I under -and the main purpose of your letter is to l 1ggest that in case recourse to the retaIiatorv leasures authorized by this act should be in tied by the unjust treatment of our fisher len in the future, the object of such retalia- on might be fully accomplished by prohib- ing Canadian caught fish from entry into ( le ports of the United States. The existing s 'ntroversy is one in which two nations are le parties concerned. The retaliation con- 1 mplated by the act of Congress is to be en- rced not to protect solely any particular terest, however meritorious and valuable 0 1t to maintain the national honor and thus -otect all our people. In this view the vii ation of American fishery rights and unjust
 unfriendly action toward portion a
 our citizens engaged in this a lsiness is but the occasion for action Id constitutes national affront which l S yes birth to or may justify retaliation n ais measure once resorted to it's effective F ss and value may well depend upon the oroughness and extent of it's application i'd in the performance of international du- Ii 's, the enforcement of international rights il Id the protection of our citizens, this gov l. nment and the people of the United States :, ust act as unit, all intent upon attaining '' @ best result of retaliation upon the basis maintenance of national honor and du- e A nation seeking to maintain it's honor | d gnity and integrity is engaged in protect r. g the rights of it's people, and if in such ,.as ects particular interests are in- M red and special advantages forfeited these ings should be periodically borne for the Iblc good. An immense volume of popu- ion, manufactures and agricultural produc- ms and the marine tonnage and railways h which these have given activity, all largely W @ result of intercourse between the United l Fl ates and British America and the natural owth of full half century of good neigh rhood and friendly communication for an gregate of material wealth and incidental ir ations of most impressive magnitude w l fully appreciate these things and am not |. mindful of the great number of our peo- ea 3 who are concerned in such vast and diver H jed interests. In the performance of the F 'lous duty which Congress has imposed VI on me, and in the exercise upon just te caslon ot the power conferred under | W 3 act referred to shall deem myself bound 1 al lntiict no unnecessary damage or injury a1 on any portion of our people; but shall ti yertheless be unainchingly guided by lse of what the self-respect and dignity of } nation demand. In the maintenance of ese and in the support of the honor of the pl vernment, beneath which every citizen la y repose in safety, no sacrifice of personal | n. private interests shall be considered as | = ainst the general welfare. h'
 Yours very truly, ln
 GROVER CLEVELAND. Is